Class of 2009 celebrates exit from high school

Green Mountain High principal Barb Goings bestows co-Valedictorian honors on Tiffani Oney.

LAKEWOOD – More than 1,200 seniors graduated from Lakewood, Alameda, Bear Creek and Green Mountain high schools and school officials, parents and friends applauded the Class of 2009 this week at ceremonies at Red Rocks, University of Colorado and Boetcher Concert Hall.

“Whatever course you choose for this singular life, do so because it is your passion,” retiring teacher Dan Black told Green Mountain’s graduating class Friday.

“Find that dream and live it, it’s the only one you will get,” Black told his cheering former students.

Black, a Social Studies teacher is leaving the profession after 35 years. He is known for his colorful lectures, which he often presents while wearing a costume from the period of history the lesson covers.

True to form, he wore a Roman toga and read from a scroll as he presented his remarks.

Graduation ceremonies began early in the week and continued through Saturday.

The total number of graduates at each school was in flux until the last moment, but the final best guess from school administrators was 1,214 graduates from Lakewood’s four high schools.

The number of charter school graduates was not available from school district sources.

Alameda High School seniors were the first to graduate this year. Some 109 seniors graduated Tuesday morning at Boetcher Concert hall. Alameda had a total 2008-2009 enrollment of 742 students.

Bear Creek High School awarded 386 diplomas during their ceremony at red Rocks Thursday morning. The school’s enrollment this year was 1,768.

Green Mountain High School had 342 graduating seniors out of a total school enrollment of 1,811.

And Lakewood High School awarded 377 diplomas during graduation ceremonies at the CU Events center Saturday morning. The school’s total enrollment was 1,811 this school year.